Open Season

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In advance reviews, Open Season has been pronounced "something special," (Booklist), and it lives up to the billing. It is not C.J. Box's skill at plotting (the story of greedy business interests and local corruption is fine, but familiar), but rather the character of hero Joe Pickett, a Wyoming game warden, that makes this a series kickoff to remember. Like all the best mystery protagonists, Pickett is stubbornly ready to risk everything when his own personal sense of morality is at stake. But Joe is also a guy who sometimes gets things wrong, and this characteristic of messing up adds a dimension of humanity to the book.

C.J. Box makes the town of Twelve Sleep, Wyoming (where Joe and his pregnant wife and his daughters have come to live in a tiny house that could be a lot nicer if Joe only had a job that paid better), come alive to the extent that one can almost smell the crisp mountain air and pine needles. The locals display an impressive array of grudge holding and "don't mess with us" attitudes, but Joe is unwilling to forget he's sworn to uphold and enforce a full battery of laws that many of these neighbors have no intention of obeying.

When a well-known poacher, with whom he has humiliatingly tangled, suddenly turns up dead in his own backyard, Joe finds himself at the top of a downward path that, first, will lead to more bodies and then will put his entire family into peril. Open Season doesn't pull its punches, and Box does allow bad things to happen to good people. Read it and find out how skillfully he handles both his hero's complexities and also the ambiguities inherent in a life dedicated to law enforcement. --Otto Penzler

The Reviews Are In...

Best First Mystery Novel!

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Anthony Award for Best First Mystery Novel

Anthony Award

Anthony Award for Best First Mystery Novel

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Anthony Award for Best First Mystery Novel

Anthony Award

A New York Times Notable Book of 2001

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A New York Times Notable Book of 2001

A New York Times Notable Book of 2001

Macavity Award for Best First Mystery Novel by Mystery Readers International

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Macavity Award for Best First Mystery Novel by Mystery Readers International

Macavity Award

Barry Award for Best First Mystery Novel by Deadly Pleasures Magazine

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Barry Award for Best First Mystery Novel by Deadly Pleasures Magazine

Barry Award

Edgar Award Finalist for Best First Novel by an American Author - Mystery Writers of America

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Edgar Award Finalist for Best First Novel by an American Author - Mystery Writers of America

Edgar Award Finalist

L.A. Times Book Prize Finalist for Best Mystery/Thriller of 2001.

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L.A. Times Book Prize Finalist for Best Mystery/Thriller of 2001.

L. A. Times Book Prize Finalist

Gumshoe Award for Best First Mystery Novel - Mystery Ink

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Gumshoe Award for Best First Mystery Novel - Mystery Ink

Gumshoe Award

Chicago Tribune named it one of the Ten Best Mysteries of the year.

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Chicago Tribune named it one of the Ten Best Mysteries of the year.

Chicago Tribune

Publishers Weekly gave it a starred review and called it "superb."

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Publishers Weekly gave it a starred review and called it "superb."

Publishers Weekly

USA Today called it "fascinating."

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USA Today called it "fascinating."

USA Today

The Washington Post Book World called it "heartfelt."

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The Washington Post Book World called it "heartfelt."

The Washington Post Book World

Kirkus gave it a starred review and called it "a high-country Presumed Innocent that moves like greased lightning."

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Kirkus gave it a starred review and called it "a high-country Presumed Innocent that moves like greased lightning."

Kirkus

Booklist, in their starred review, said Open Season's hero, Joe Pickett, "is a Gary Cooper for our time."

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Booklist, in their starred review, said Open Season's hero, Joe Pickett, "is a Gary Cooper for our time."

Booklist

Booksense 76 Selection

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Booksense 76 Selection

Booksense 76 Selection

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Poll

Who would be the best Jess Rawlins if the BLUE HEAVEN movie is actually made?
Clint Eastwood
7%
Harrison Ford
9%
Sam Elliott
71%
Gene Hackman
0%
Tommy Lee Jones
7%
Robert Duvall
5%
Total votes: 55

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What they are saying...

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